Artist&#39;s easel



Jan. 25, 1966 w. J. MUELLER ARTIST s EASEL Filed April 25, 1963INVENTOR. W/LL I444 Ml/EZL El? BY f 2 flf/orn eys United States Patent3,231,230 ARTISTS EASEL William J. Mueller, 1801 NW. 7th St., Rochester,Minn. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, er. No. 275,65"? 7 Claims. (El. 248-449) Thisinvention relates generally to artists easels, and pertains moreparticularly to an easel that can be firmly held in place between thefloor and ceiling of a room.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide an easel that isadjustable in length so that it can be retained in a vertical positionby pressurally engaging its lower and upper ends against the floor andceiling of any conventional room, even though one room may vary somewhatin height from another.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easel that can bequickly positioned or taken down as circumstances dictate. In otherwords, it is contemplated that in many instances one might wish to usethe easel for only a few hours and then place the easel in temporarystorage until needed again. An easel constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention has considerable versatility and suchan objective is readily realized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an easel that will notbe knocked over easily.

Since it is planned that the easel be moved about, another object is toprovide an easel that is of lightweight construction. More specifically,the invention has for an aim the fabrication of the easel largely fromextruded aluminum and to thereby render the over-all easel structurequite light in weight.

Inasmuch as it is envisioned that the easel will be made of soft ductilemetal, the invention has for another object the preventing of damage tosuch relatively soft metal when making needed adjustments.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an independentadjustment of the brackets for holding the canvas or drawing paper.

Because an easel of the type envisaged will find especial utility whenused in ones home, still a further object of the invention is to providean easel that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, therebyencouraging its purchase by individuals. More particularly, theinvention contemplates the use of certain duplicate parts which need notbe fabricated with small clearances or close tolerances.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description, made in connection with theaccompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my easel shown in actual use, thedrawing held thereby having been depicted in phantom outline, and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 22 for thepurpose of illustrating how the telscoping members can be readilyclamped into an adjusted position;

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the easel that has been selectedfor exemplifying the invention has been designated in its entirety bythe reference numeral 10. Fragmentarily pictured is a floor 12 and aceiling 14 of a typical room in which the easel is apt to be used.

The easel 10 includes a front or central tubular member 16 having arectangular eross-section. Telescopically received in the opposite endof the first or central tubular member 16 are additional tubular members18 which are identical to each other. The tubular members 16 and 13 arepreferably of extruded aluminum which is readily obtainable.

3,231,230 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 It is to be noted that the tubularmembers 18 each have a ribbed pressure plate 20 of identicalconstruction and which are provided with a socket 22 so that a set screwthreadedly carried by the socket 22 can abut the end of the particularmember 18 that the pressure plate 20 is to be affixed to. A resilientpad 26 of compressible material, such as foam rubber or polyurethane, issuitably cemented to each pressure plate 20. It is highly important thatsome compressible material be attached to the pressure plates 20 so thatthe easel 10 can be more firmly held between the floor 12 and theceiling 14.

Although in an inverted relationship with respect to each other, theeasel 10 further comprises a pair of identical clamping sleeves 28.These sleeves are formed with a bore portion 30 of somewhat largercross-section than that of the first or central tubular member 16. Acavity or recess 32 is formed at one side of the bore portion 30 and isof a size so as to accommodate at least a. portion of a pressure plateor disc 34. Through the agency of a threaded set screw 36 having ascrewdriver slot 38 it will be appreciated that the plate or disc 34will be forced against the first or central tubular member 16 so as toretain the clamping sleeve 28 in a fixed relationship therewith. Thisaction with respect to the uper clamping sleeve 28 can be easilydiscerned from FIGURE 2; of course, the same action occurs with respectto the lower sleeve 28.

The sleeves 28 also include smaller cross-sectional bore pontions 40which are of a size to accommodate the additional tubular members 18forming respective shoulders at 41 in each instance. As with the boreportions 30 of the sleeves, the bore portions 4% also contain a cavityor recess, the cavity or recess in this instance bearing the referencenumeral 42. A pressure plate or disc 44 similar to thepreviously-mentioned plates or discs 34 is employed in conjunction witheach sleeve and a set screw 46 having a knurled head 48 thereon isutilized for forcing each plate or disc 44 against the tubular member 18in a manner similar to that in which the plate or disc 34 is forcedagainst the tubular member 16.

At this time, attention is called to a pair of brackets 50, which canalso be identical, each having a sleeve 52 with a bore 54 extendingtherethrough of a size so as to accommodate the tubular member 16. Hereagain, a cavity or recess 56 is formed in each of the sleves 52 for atleast the partial reception of a pressure plate or disc 58. A set screw60 having a knurled head 62 thereon permits the plate 58 to be forcedagainst the tubular member 16, just as is the situation with respect tothe members 34 and 44 that have already been mentioned.

Describing further the brackets 51), it is to be observed that eachbracket has what will be termed an L-shaped member 64 appropriatelysecured thereto, as by welding or soldering. Although any suitablematerial might be utilized, a wooden jaw element 66 has been shownattached to the L-shaped member 64 in each instance by means of screws68 (see FIGURE 2). Each of the jaw elements 66 is formed with a rathershallow notch '70 forming a sloping clamping surface. The deepestportion of the notches 79 have i-mbedded therein suitable teeth orprongs 72 for holding the canvas or drawing paper constituting thepicture being worked upon. This picture has :been shown in phantomoutline and has been assigned the reference numeral 74.

Having presented the foregoing information, the use of my easel 10should be readily understood. Initially, the ribbed pressure plates 20are attached to the remote ends of the pair of tubular rnenrbers 13,this being by means of the set screws 24. Before inserting the otherends of the tubular members 18 into the first or central tubular member16, the person assembling the easel 1i) would first clamp the twoclamping sleeves 28 to the opposite ends of the tubular member 16, usingthe pressure plates or discs 34 and the set screws 3d. It is then thatsaid opposite ends of the tubular members 13 should be inserted into theopposite ends of the first or central tubular member 16, the ends of themembers 18 passing through the smaller bore portions 4% of the clampingsleeves 28.

Having done this, either of the tubular members lit can be clamped withthe proper length thereof extending from the lower and upper ends of thefirst or central tubular member 16. Stated somewhat diiferently, theamount that the tubular members 18 project will be to whatever degree isnecessary to assure that the resilent pads 26 will be pressed tightlyagainst the floor 12 and the ceiling 14. It is not necessary to equalizethe amount that either tubular member 18 projects, for all that isnecessary is that the over-all length of the easel be such that pressurewill be exerted against the floor 12 and the ceiling 14 in order tofirmly retain the easel 1G in a vertical position.

With the easel ltl disposed between the floor 12 and the ceiling 14, thenext step to be penform'ed is adjusting the brackets 50 at the properworking height for the artist and also with the proper amount of spacingfor the height of the particular picture 74 that is to be clampedbetween the jaw elements 65. This is easily accomplished through theagency of the set screws 60, suificient tightening of these set screwscausing the pressure plates or discs 58 to bear against the first orcentral tubular member 16 so as to assure retention of the picture 74 atthe desired elevation.

It should be recognized from the foregoing description and also FIGURE 2of the drawing that the invention does not require close tolerances orclearances with respect to the various parts that are to be clampedtogether. To empasize this, which is important from a manufacturingstandpoint, considerable clearance has been shown between the first orcentral tubular member 16 and the sides of the bore portion of the upperclamping sleeve 28, the same relationship existing with respect to thelower sleeve 28. Similarly, it will be discerned that an appreciableamount of clearance can exist between the tubular members 18 and therespective bore portions of the clamping sleeves 28. Likewise, thesleeve 52 of each bracket may have its bore 54 appreciably larger thanthe outer dimensions of the first or central tubular member 16. In eachof these situations, the clamping action that has been afforded is suchthat close clearances or tolerances need not be pro vided in order toachieve a firm clamping action.

Assuming that the easel 1% is to be taken down and placed in storage, itis only necessary that either the upper or lower set screw 46 beloosened, the particular knurled head 48 easily permitting this. Witheither of the set screws 46 loosened sufliciently, the particulartubular member 18 that has been clamped in place by virtue of theclamping action afforded by the particular set screw will then be freeto be moved farther into the first or central tubular member 16. Suchmovement, which can be only a small amount of movement, relaxes thepressure being applied by the pads 26 and the easel 10 can then beeasily stored.

If complete disassembly is needed, such as when a person is desirous oftransporting the easel from his home to an art class, then the tubularmembers 18 can be completely telescoped within the confines of thetubular member 16. If a further kocking down is necessary, the parts canall be removed and then reassembled when the artists destination isreached. Thus, considerable choice is provided the user of the easel 10.

From a manufacturing standpoint, it is important to appreciate that thefollowing parts are duplicated when employing the teachings of theinvention: 13, 2%, 28 and 50 It will, of course, be understood thatvarious changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements andproportions of the parts without departing from the scope of myinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

3. An artists easel comprising:

(a) a first elongated member;

(b) second and third elongated members telescopical- 1y adjust-able wi hrespect to the opposite ends of said first member;

(c) a pad member affixed to each of the remote ends of said second andthird elongated members for engaging the floor and ceiling of a roomwhen said second and third members are properly adjusted;

(d) a pair of picture retaining brackets carried by said first elongatedmember; and

(e) means for adjusting at least one of said brackets relative to theother for the accommodation of different size pictures.

2. An artists easel in accordance with claim 1 including:

(a) a layer of resilient material secured to each of said pad members.

3. An artists easel in accordance with claim 1 in which:

(a) said first elongated member is of tubular configuration and saidsecond and third elongated members are telescopically received in theopposite ends thereof.

4. An artists easel in accordance with claim 3 in which each bracketincludes:

(a) a sleeve member slidably surrounding said first elongated member,and

(b) a set screw associated with each sleeve for clamping its respectivebracket at a desired height.

5. An artists easel in accordance with claim 4 in which:

(a) the upper bracket includes a tray having an upwardly slopingportion;

(b) the lower bracket includes a tray having a downwardly slopingportion;

(0) a plurality of downwardly projecting elements on said upper tray;and

(d) a plurality of upwardly projecting elements on said lower tray,

(e) whereby the picture is securely retained by said trays andprojecting elements.

6. An artists easel comprising:

(a) a first tubular member having a rectangular crosssection;

(b) second and third tubular members telescopically received in theopposite ends of said first member, said second and third members alsohaving a rectangular cross-section but of reduced dimensions;

(c) a pad atfixed to the projecting ends of each of said second andthird tubular members;

(d) compressible foam material on each pad for contacting the floor andceiling of a room;

(e) a pair of clamping sleeves having bore portions at one end of a sizeto accommodate the end portions of said first member and bore portionsat the other end of a size to accommodate the end portions,respectively, of said second and third members and there being ashoulder between said bore portions in each instance;

(f) a first set screw threadedly carried by the one end portion of eachsleeve for clam-ping said sleeves to said first member;

(g) a second set screw threadedly carried by the other portion of eachsleeve for clamping said second and third members in an adjustedrelation with said first member;

(h) a second pair of clamping sleeves of a size to embrace said firstmember;

(i) a set screw threadedly carried by each of said sec ond pair ofsleeves for clamping said second sleeves 5 6 to selected intermediateportions of said first mem- References Cited by the Examiner bar; andUNITED STATES PATENTS (j) a picture engaging tray aifixed to each ofsaid second pair of sleeves for retaining said picture therebe- 7191461/1903 f at 248*188'5 X tween when said second pair of sleeves have been5 1961335 5/1913 Smith 248-33 properly positioned on said first member.16681140 5/1928 Buchhmt 248-466 X 7. An artists easel in accordance withclaim 6 in which: 2837305 6/1958 Andren 248 148 X (a) each second sleeveis provided with an internal re- 3,001,754 9/1961 Fowler 248 357 cesswith which the inner ends of the set screws car- FOREIGN PATENTS ried bysaid second sleeves cooperate, and 10 (b) a plate element contained ineach of said recesses, 946,527 8/1956 Germany (c) whereby said innerends of the set screws will bear against one face of said plate elementsto force the CLAUDE LE Prlma'y Exammer' other face thereof against saidrespective members. FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

1. AN ARTIST''S EASEL COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER; (B)SECOND AND THIRD ELONGATED MEMBERS TELESCOPICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITHRESPECT TO THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID FIRST MEMBER; (C) A PAD MEMBERAFFIXED TO EACH OF THE REMOTE ENDS OF SAID SECOND AND THRID ELONGATEDMEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE FLOOR AND CEILING OF A ROOM WHEN SAID SECONDAND THIRD MEMBERS ARE PROPERLY ADJUSTED; (D) A PAIR OF PICTURE RETAININGBRACKETS CARRIED BY SAID FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER; AND (E) MEANS FORADJUSTING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BRACKETS RELATIVE TO THE OTHER FOR THEACCOMMODATION OF DIFFERENT SIZE PICTURES.